Journalists write "knowingly" on the situation in Israel without ever living here; without first hand knowledge of what it means to live in this tiny country in the midst of a rather unfriendly neighbourhood.
I write without vengeance, without hatred, just what I experience,the view from my veranda and the thoughts in my head.
My archive is available at www.lingomatics.com/Shabbatshalom/index.html

About Me

I am a freelance journalist living in Jerusalem. I strive to tell the truth as it is never seen in the media - the life of one Israeli trying to get along with everyone but not willing to deny her past nor her identity.

Friday, 30 December 2016

Shabbat
Shalom dear friends. It is now the 7th light of Chanuka and the 7th
night of Christmas – a rare coincidence.

I admit
I have been putting off writing to you. I am still in shock from the UN vote
but even more so by Mr Kerry's speech. Israel is the main, seemingly only
obstacle to peace in the Middle East? You have to be kidding! Since I have
spent my entire journalistic life determinedly fighting against harsh
condemnation of any government, be it mine or someone else's, I had to spend
time calming myself before writing, then I came across this rather exceptional
speech in the United Nations by Daniel
Patrick Moynihan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rg1Lzgvwd4

Rabbi
Jeremy Rosen
yet again wrote my thoughts in his weekly musings. He writes about Resolution
2334, America, Kerry and Chanuka. Please read his words, it is really
worthwhile http://jeremyrosen.blogspot.co.il/

No
logic explains this Administrations obsession with condemning Israel while
giving in to all the demands of the Palestinians irrespective of Israel's Biblical,
historical, legal or factual claims or making demands or conditions that they
cease and desist their aggression. . Sadly, my hero and one of the most erudite
of American leaders, Dr Malcolm Hoenlein, believes there may be an even
bigger parting shot from President Obama.

Israelis,
left, right and centre, feel utterly betrayed. As if the vote was not enough,
Kerry's speech left us reeling. The subliminal messaging has been working its
cruel magic through the media and the politicians and we are perceived as evil.

As
Syria burns,
most Moslem countries are in total meltdown with cruel despots at their helm
and thousands of innocents are killed every week, the world believes that
Israel is the problem instead of understanding that we are the answer.

How was Kerry's speech accepted in the PA? PLO Executive Committee member Mustafa Barghouti issued a
rejection of the peace plan outlined in Secretary of State John Kerry's speech
on Wednesday, indicating how far from compromise the Palestinian leadership
remains on the core issues. Barghouti said, "First, you cannot make the
issue of Palestinian refugees only an issue of compensation," claiming
a "right of return." "Second, recognition of Israel as
a Jewish state...is totally unacceptable." "Third, his formula
about Jerusalem is absolutely something that the Palestinians cannot
accept....East Jerusalem should be the capital of Palestine. How can it be a
capital of two states?" Ronald Brandt

On
Sunday Zvi came with me to the beautiful Jerusalem Press Club in Yemin
Moshe, overlooking the walls of the Old City, indeed overlooking Mount Zion.
The talk was intended to be on Mr Trump and Israel but with the UN vote – we went
in a totally different direction. Prof Eytan Gilboa gave a riveting speech
about the entire highly personal decisions and the UN fiasco. Please take the
time to listen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gahz32U-NZY&t=38s

I then
went on to see old friend Rabbi David Greenberg from Temple Shaarei
Tefila in Bedford, NY and a very few but highly educated people from his bat
mitzvah group. It pleases me no end when those who ask questions have really
done their homework! Relevant and piercing I just hope my responses were up to the
standard of the questions.

Monday
morning and I went to a meeting at the "Jerusalem Baby Home",
the incredible WIZO centre in the leafy neighbourhood of Bet Hakerem,
Jerusalem. The Director, Kobi, is an amazing person, his clear love for his
work is apparent in everything he does. The building houses a day centre for
small children with working Mums, a haven for battered women, vocational school
for young people who would otherwise drop out of society, special classrooms
for autistic chilren and so much more. The building is in community use every
day of the week except Shabbat. For me it is a very special place. I walk in
through the front doors and I sense my beautiful late Mother. My mother,
Betty Silver, was deeply involved in the "Baby Home" so named
because originally it housed orphans from WW2. I look out of the windows and
see the grassy lawn where she danced with the children, the hallways and
classrooms where she too walked. It makes me very proud. The Baby Home, indeed
WIZO, is generational, and my sister Doreen and Cardiff WIZO are holding an
event for the Home.

A
meeting with Varda of the Yuri Shtern Foundation, another with my Cardiff
friend Angela to organise a St David's Day Welsh celebration on March 1st,
then a trip up North for a meeting and another meeting with Angela at the
Caffit restaurant in the Botanical Gardens where we have decided to hold
the Welsh event. Then, ah then, Zvi and I went off to Mahane Yehuda
market! Actually we had to go to the city for a meeting but used the
opportunity to go to our favourite place!!! We park up on Mount Herzl,
in the car park underneath the Alexander Calder Stabile, and catch the
light rail into the city. I love the light rail for so many reasons. 10 minutes
into town, no parking tickets after a long and tiring search for a rare parking
spot and most of all the unbelievable rainbow of Jerusalemites in each
carriage. It amazes me that everyone is happy, smiles and chatting all around
with complete strangers!

After
our meeting we began to walk up the pedestrian road (except for the light rail)
of Jaffa Street toward the Shouk. First we discovered an open market and then at the bottom of Ben Yehuda we
giggled to see a very jolly Haredi man, dressed in full regalia with Shtreimel
and robes, guitar in hand, singing and playing – or as I called him "The
Bearded Busker of Ben Yehuda"!!! the walk up Jaffa Street is
fascinating – a myriad of small shops and filled with coffee shops on both
sides of the road, it has really come into its own.

Then
the prize – Mahane Yehuda of course! First Zvi popped into Marzipan, the
bakery that emits unbelievable aromas of freshly baked cookies, cakes and rogelech….
always teeming with buyers. Then to the confectionary shop separated into Mars
Bars, local produce and lots of Mahedrin sweets and chocolates in a pick and
bag form. Already somewhat laden we headed off for our favourite stop –
Tzidkiyahus! The phenomenal array of olives – at least 20 varieties
including the bright green Italian olives – and salads and freshly prepared
kubeh, knishes, latkes and …….. wow mouthwatering!! Best of all we both love
Yaron Tzidkiahu, who has more stories of Mahane Yehuda than you can imagine!!!

And
so to Chanuka.
It started with all the Israeli children coming to us after Shabbat to light
the first candle. I was so excited!!! Zvi's two boys, Leor and Amiad with their
amazing families and my daughter Rachel with hers. It is so rare to get
everyone together and we decided to turn it into Yosef's birthday party too,
even though it was a week early. He was so excited! 12 years old! We ate our
meal of soup, salmon, salads and latkes (including carbohysrate free ones for
the dieters) and then I came out with my proudest moment…….. homemade sufganiyot
(traditional doughnuts) which looked amazing with chocolate and sprinkles or lovely Demerara Sugar– and as we bit into
them we realised they were somewhat reminiscent of eating very tasty
shoeleather!!! I will give in and buy next year!! After all if you have a
sophisticated choice like Roladin…….. http://www.rolsachcu.co.il/
Just flip through the flavours!!!!

Watching
all 8 of the Israeli grandchildren lighting their own Chanukiah (Chanuka
menorah) the glow of the candles reflected in their cheeks, was a very special
experience. It was quite hard to get good photos because I was too busy crying
with joy!!!

Don't
forget the story of Chanuka. Don't forget that it is the story of triumph over
insurmountable odds, triumph over those who wanted us to give up our rights to
what is the essence of Judaism. All those who put us down, killed us, fought
us, oppressed us, all are gone……….. every last kingdom and empire that tried to
kill us off has disappeared!!

Music.
As I listened to the Kerry speech, just one song kept running through my mind. It
comes from Joseph and the Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat. Close Every Door.
I first heard it sung by Paul Jones on the dummy tape made by Tim Rice and
Andrew Lloyd Webber as my children sang
along, but please, listen to the words https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PVWpgmiIbas

Shabbat
Shalom, Chag Chanuka Sameach, the continuing days of Christmas and of course a
good 2017. My prayer, invocation, imprecation, plea is that 2017 will bring the
world to it's senses, that friends will not stab us in the back and that
finally and for all we will be recognized as the positive, giving, generous and
innovative country we really are.

With
much love from Jerusalem, a truly beautiful city the Capital City of Israel for
all her citizens.

Friday, 23 December 2016

This
missive was meant to be one of Chanuka and Christmas joy – just a happy letter
talking about the meaning of those festivals and our wish to honour each
other's celebrations and religious connotations. I wanted to but too much has
happened this week so I will try to keep the sadness and anger short and move
on to the happy and blessed.

Perhaps
the sadness of the first subject explains our anger at the second.

Berlins Christmas Markets are a festive and a joyous tradition. There are several - at theAlexanderplatz,
Charlottenburg Palace and the largest at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial
Church. The atmosphere was shattered when a Tunisian citizen, who the German
police had been "watching", stole a truck and ploughed into the happy
crowds changing joy into tragedy. At least 12 people died and umpteen were
injured. I am angry. Angry because 24-year-old Tunisian Anis Amri
had expressed his desire for Jihad and the German police put him under
surveillance without arresting him. I understand the German fear of xenophobia
but it should not paralyse the law to the extent that a potential killer could
wreak havoc with the lives of ordinary folk just because they were celebrating
Christmas. He backed out of actually committing suicide
but met his death in Italy, having used Europes open borders to escape.

Two Israelis were in the square, a couple who loved Berlin and went back at every opportunity. Rami
Elyakim is in a coma in a Berlin hospital unaware that his beloved Dalia's
funeral is taking place today in Jerusalem.

In Turkey the Russian Ambassador to was shot to death on camera. Yes, again the cry was Allahu Akbar – G-d
is great. "This is for Aleppo" was the killers cry. As I said at the
beginning the link is clear and the incitement to kill by extreme leaders, predominantly
Iranian. Aleppo, Khaleb, is a tragedy beyond all imagination but not a reason
for further killing. The greatest tragedy is that our Western leaders have done
nothing, but NOTHING to prevent the killing. They went marching into Iraq and
Afghanistan but Syria, where the situation could have been contained………. Nothing.

My last piece of sad news cuts me to the
very quick. Israel feels abandoned by her "closest
Ally" – the United States of America. In a United Nations whose President
admits extreme anti-Israel bias it was not the USA that tried to prevent a vote
that Jerusalem's Holy sites are not Jewish, it was our real ally – Egypt that asked
to defer the vote. The United States was going to abstain rather than veto the
proposition. Do you understand the implication of a vote stating that Jerusalem
is not Jewish? It means that now, just before Christmas, the Temple Mount has
no relationship to Christianity! Bethlehem is almost lost and the Christians
there are suffering, the only Christian sites that are honoured are here in
Israel or under Israeli care. Think about it – America, conceivably the most
Christian country in the West – allowing the most holy Christian sites to be
overtaken? There is no dichotomy here – if it is not Jewish it isn't Christian
and that worries me intensely. We can live without fancy, new-fangled
aeroplanes but not without Jerusalem.

The United Nations has run its useful course. During the past session there were 223
resolutions against Israel and only 8 against the Syrian regime. Ban Ki Moon,
at the end of his term of office, said “Decades of
political maneuverings have created a disproportionate volume of resolutions,
reports and conferences criticizing Israel. In many cases, rather than helping
the Palestinian cause, this reality has hampered the ability of the UN to fulfill
its role effectively.” We know Sir, we know.

Incidentally, Yossi Cohen, head of the Mossad,
together with a delegation of security experts, met with President Elect Donald
Trump in Trump Tower this week, to apprise him of the situation in the Middle
East in general and Israel in particular.

I really need to cheer up. I have no intention of entering this unusual celebratory season with a "downturned
mouth" If we learn anything about the Maccabees – it is that we have to
keep our faith in ourselves and fight against those who would take us down.

Dumisani Washington is an American Pastor. His aim in life is to inform fellow black
Americans of the truth of Israel. I particularly loved his words this week.

The human tragedies within Syria, Iraq,
Libya (ISIS), Nigeria (Boko Haram), Kenya (Al Shabaab), Yemen (Iran/Hezbollah),
Egypt (Christians being slaughtered), Gaza (Hamas)...are all horrific examples
of the price the world pays while the United Nations spends its time
demonizing, delegitimizing, and attempting to destroy the one and only Jewish
State on the planet.

And what does Israel do while much of the world burns in
Islamist terrorism and violence? Produce life-changing technology that literally
makes the world a better place.

Going back to the insane idea the Jerusalem isn't Jewish an archaeologist found a coin from the
time of Antiochus, the time of the Greek determination to prevent Jews from
honouring their laws, the time of the Maccabees. Right next to the Tower at the
entrance to David's City, beside the Jaffa Gate digs revealed a coin dating
from the Chanuka period with Hebrew writing!! Go take that to the UN and chew
on it!

Chanuka in Jerusalem is a very special event. This video shows the joy of this special festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oOZ6SYhCB0
. Chanuka is not about sufganiyot (doughnuts) any more than Christmas is about
trees – or either of them about gifts and chimneys! Christmas celebrations have
a clear foundation but Chanuka? What is Chanuka in modern terms? Yes I know we
all talk about the miracle of one jar of oil lasting for eight days but in
truth – that isn't the real miracle. The real miracle is that we are here, as a
people. I looked up references on Dr Google but decided to do my own, much
shorter, explanation.

Imagine, the Greeks were different to most of our former enemies, they didn't want to kill us they just
wanted us to be………. Greeks! When we decided we prefer being Jews they
introduced all sorts of new laws – no kosher slaughter, no circumcision, no
Shabbat – in fact a bit like Sweden today! Many of the Jews decided to abide by
the lack of restrictions, it was much more fun that way anyway. However a few,
a very few, decided to rebel; they were proud of being Jews, loved the fact
that those restrictions enriched their lives by providing an enriching way of
life. One family decided to form a peoples army and fight the Greeks to
preserve their heritage. The Greeks ultimately gave up because this troublesome
Jewish people was not worth their effort and so we celebrate our heritage when
we celebrate Chanuka. It was the first time the Jews fought back. I think
that's quite a miracle!

I was thrilled to meet Sari Singer and her daughter Sam, in Mahane Yehuda Market. "Where should we
meet" asked Sari, since I was coming from home and they were in the Old
City. "Tsidkiyahus right next to Agrippas Street" was my answer!
Everybody knows Tsidkiyahus! We had fun showing Sam the vast array of
foodstuffs and fruit and veg. I sometimes worry at the gentrification of the
market but luckily it is still a crowded, fun place with lots of action and
costermongers shouting their wares. Strawberries are just coming into season
and they are the size of apples and red and juicy and really taste of
strawberry!!! We then went up to Gilo to see over to Bethlehem and then back
down to the Central Bus Station – I hope they come back to Jerusalem before
returning home. I love Sari!

Very quickly I want to tell you where Zvi and I were
last night. We were invited to a little chanuka party by the Yuri Shtern Holistic Centrehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbk511x4oYI
to celebrate a year in which the
organisation has made great strides. It was held in Piccolino Restaurant on
Yoel Solomon Street. As we went in the front door I was thrilled by the authentic
Jerusalem house, conceivably belonging to Yoel Solomon, the man who built
Nahalat Shiva – the first family compound built outside the walls of the Old
City. Since we arrived early we walked through the building to find ourselves
in a wonderland of beautifully set tables under a huge awning taking up an
entire plaza between the buildings of Nahalat Shiva. On one side the Music
Museum and on another a stage with young musicians playing. The food is incredible and the atmosphere wonderful – and we didn't know
it exists!!!

Coming back to the Yuri
Shtern Foundation, I just want to tell both Varda and the indomitable
Lena, that it has been an honour to provide any help I could to a singular
organisation that is manned by volunteers. As one of those present said
"Yuri Shtern Holistic Centre is a place where ordinary folk become
angels" So often all cancer patients, or family members, need is the touch
of a human hand, the "ozen kashevet" the ear of one who has the rare
ability to listen, as well as therapies to complement the medical staff.

My musical choices this week were obvious. Chanuka. Festival of lights. One song is of the miracles the other the
prayer/poem we sing over lighting the candles each night for 8 days. The
children will all be here tomorrow night and we will also celebrate Yosefs birthday.
Lots of homemade food including sufganiyot in an attempt to limit the sugar
intake!!! They will get gifts but just token ones…………………………I don't believe in
going broke- I prefer to give them love.

Friday, 16 December 2016

President
Elect Trump
has chosen his future United States Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman. Friedman
was a senior Advisor to the President Elect during his campaign and is an open
and clear lover of Israel. His appointment has created an eddy of opinions from
"Trumps Ambassador is a pro-settlement bankruptcy lawyer" – this of
course from the Guardian immediately suggesting that there is something sleazy
about the man – to the delight of most Israeli news media. My feelings are
mixed. Delight at the thought of the American Embassy finally being moved to
its rightful home in Jerusalem; elation that all the other countries that
waited for this opportunity will follow suit; concerned that the Ambassador
will have problems in the Consulate which has no Israelis working there, only
Palestinians (not Israeli Arabs); fear that the repercussions will be extreme.
In the final analysis, by moving the Embassy (Embassies) to Jerusalem the
statement that Jerusalem is the Capital City of the Jewish State is absolute.
It is a brave move with cause for concern because those who would deny Jews the
right to even a tiny corner of this land will rebel – not against us, against
any country that moves its Embassy creating a fait accompli. In other words –
terror will reign. http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/132744-161216-trump-names-adviser-david-friedman-for-ambassador-to-israel

On
Tuesday I went to the Israel National Library on the Givat Ram Campus of the
Hebrew University together with a group from the Jerusalem Press Club. The Library
has metamorphosed from a small building in the centre of Jerusalem, to the
Hebrew University Campus on Mount Scopus, from whence the books were brought in
a clandestine operation to Terra Santa after the Jordanians took the
surrounding land allowing a small enclave of students to remain. The scientific
books have predominantly been returned to the Mount Scopus site with all the
Humanities on Givat Ram. National Library sounds boring but this Library is so
much more than books. Quite apart from concerts, lectures, manuscripts (Isaac
Newton, Einstein, Maimonedes and much more) and exhibitions the building houses
the most incredible collection of Jewish writings – both by and about – maps
and Islamic and Christian works relative to Judaism. We were there to see a new
exhibit, although not open to the average public everything will change when
the new, accessible and people friendly Library will open next to the Knesset. http://web.nli.org.il/sites/nli/English/library/Pages/default.aspx

The
Middle East is in turmoil with the deaths of innocents growing daily. Aleppo, or
Chaleb – was a beautiful, thriving city and as with so many beautiful cities in
the Middle East it is a shell, its citizens dying by the thousands due to the
corruption and tyranny of its leaders and the negligence of ours

The Israeli news showed the argument between
the United Nations representatives for the USA and Russia concerning the
current horrors in Aleppo.I paraphraseUSA: Are
you incapable of shame?Russia:
Don't claim to be Mother Theresa, you didn't do anything to stop the killingBoth are right!

Israel
has a major internal problem at the moment – over and above our usual
ones. One concerns Amona, an illegal settlement (aka village) which the
government decided should be removed and the villagers rehoused. They would
mostly move a short distance away in accepted village, still in Judea and
Samaria. The villagers and a large number of young zealots, have chosen to
stand and fight to stay. They have taken Amona as their Massada, and some of
their leaders have suggested they fight the young soldiers who come to move
them. This is a disgrace – it is wrong on so many levels. How dare they suggest
fighting with the youngsters for whom the last place they want to be is in
Amona; it looks awful in the foreign media who love to portray us as zealots;
it ruins our chances of keeping the accepted areas and presents the government and
the Supreme Court with a Catch 22 situation. Shame on these few who make life
difficult for the many. I believe in my heart that Judea and Samaria are Jewish
from the days of the Bible but one must also recognize that sometimes one must
accept the small sacrifices to attain the far larger goals.

Going
back to Syria,
35 years ago, Hafez Al-Assad,
the father of the current Assad, said he would not make peace with Israel even
in 100 years.Prime Minister Menachem Begin had recently signed an agreement with Egypt,
accepting that for peace he had no choice but to agree to rehouse the residents
of the town of Yamit and all Jews on Egyptian land.Assad's statement made Begin realise there would never
be even a cold peace with Syria and decided to go against American advice and
officially annex the Golan Heights.From his decision to the passing of the law took
just one day.http://www.danielpipes.org/8196/israel-stood-up-to-washington

By
coincidence, on the 35th anniversary of that historic decision,
Menachem Begins son, Prof. Benny Begin, came to speak to us at the Jerusalem
Press Club. Prof Begin is a geologist, so much more than just another
politician, and he spoke with great eloquence and knowledge. He spoke of the
Balfour Letter, of the changes made in the final Declaration, of the
understanding of both David Lloyd George and Lord Balfour, as devout
Christians, of the Holy Land and its connection to Jews and of Chaim Weitzman's
disappointment at the changes made. Iranian leader, Ali Khameine'I stated very
clearly "Israel has no right to exist. This is not based on European
Anti-Semitism but on well-established Islamic principles." As he said, we have done so incredibly well
under the worst of conditions so let us simply carry on, fight the battles that
face us and continue being the best we can be. As to annexing Judea and Samaria
he responded "How can you annex something that is rightfully yours? You
simply extend your jurisdiction" You can hear the whole talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv07j8Ld-oQ

News
in short

Turkey's
new Ambassador
came to Jerusalem, to the Presidents House to be sworn in and made reference to
the renewed relationship.

New
F-35 super fighter jets were due to arrive in Israel with great pomp and large
crowds – but unfortunately it was delayed by fog (what?????) and the crowds
went home disappointed and the planes landed in darkness without a single soul
to cheer!

Prime
Minister Theresa May
has decided to adopt a specific definition of anti-Semitism according to the
Holocaust Remembrance Day outlines.

I think
it is time to talk about rain! Amazing life giving rain fell this week and
cleared the air, unfortunately flooding large areas of the north and along the
shore but being lucky enough to live in Jerusalem with all our hills, we just
enjoyed getting wet!!! At one point I looked out of our back window to see the
most perfect rainbow, a fabulous arc against the black skies promising a great
deal more rain!

Chanuka
is imminent, Christmas is around the corner and everyone is shopping!!! The
incredible array of sufganiot (doughnuts) is ever more varied and the Christmas
lights have gone up on the road to Bethlehem and all over the Old City
Christian Quarter. This wonderful video from last year shows the Chanuka display
next to the Jaffa Gate of the Old City https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIZiABjjicg
The
display of chanukiot (menorah branched candles) has taken on new proportions
but the traditional Jerusalem chanukiot are definitely my favourites – glass boxes
with oil lamps within kept outside the homes so that all can see the miracle of
that essential battle expressed through eight days of light.

Perhaps
the most Jerusalem of all songs is Jerusalem of Gold. The words express
our longing, yearning, and of our return. Truly magnificent it brings tears to
my eyes no matter how many times I hear it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH8gtdDA5x0

I sang lullabies
to all my children, in Welsh, Yiddish, English indeed any language that helped
them go to sleep. My younger son Gideon loved three songs "You are my sunshine"
"Calon Lan" and
"Tumbalaika" so for Gideon and his Stephanie, who celebrate their
anniversary tomorrow, here is Tumbalalaika in Yiddish with the real words not
my made up ones!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYs6NlgcrVU

No
cooking this weekend! Tonight just Zvi and I so we will eat well but whatever
is in the fridge and tomorrow we are with Zvi's son Leor with Shiri and the
girls because it is Amit's 10th birthday. My contribution is already
made – Delia Smiths grilled peppers except that I do it with wonderful Israeli
mozzarella!

With
much love from Jerusalem, wherever you may be remember that Jerusalem is in
your heart and in your prayers – you can't help it – King David made sure of
that!!!! Shabbat Shalom

Friday, 9 December 2016

About 4
years ago I met a wonderful young man called Kasim Hafeez – aka Kaz. Kaz was
born in the UK, grew up a Moslem, thought Jews were the evil enemy of mankind
and then read "The Case for Israel" by Alan Dershowitz and realised
he had been brainwashed. Kaz went through a really tough emotional period, his
family basically disowning him, and I met him in a Jerusalem café near the Standwithus
offices where he told me he felt more at home in Jerusalem than in his home
town. The story is long but Kaz worked with Standwithus, moved to Canada,
became a fan of all sport Canadian and made a fantastic video for Prager
University. https://www.prageru.com/courses/political-science/born-hate-jews THE VIDEO HAS BEEN BANNED ON YOUTUBE!!!! This
gentle, sweet man has been banned for saying he loves Israel whereas hate
videos and pornography is allowed. Unreal.

Israel
is in turmoil about the proposed removal of an outpost, Amona, presumably
illegal, on disputed land. It is an outpost of perhaps 20 families and the
government proposed moving them to new housing in a legal village, but the far
right are up in arms at the mere thought of moving Jews from Biblical lands. In
principal I think they are right, you know I don't believe that anywhere should
be Judenrein, but life isn't about right and wrong, it is about practicality
(the soldiers who have to guard them) and international acceptability. Those 20
families make Israel look as if we don't want peace, and makes Prime Minister
Netanyahus job even harder than it already is.

Since I
last wrote Jill and I visited the BibleLands museum excellent exhibit of David
and Goliath. It shows the archaeological digs to find if this was a true story
or a moral fable; it gives and exceptional overview of the site, which we
visited with the Parliament just about a year ago. I strongly recommend a visit
to the BibleLands – a quiet walk through history. http://www.blmj.org/en/

We had
delicious dinner in the Botanical Gardens, walked through the Gazelle Park, met
old friends for a chat and of course paid a visit to Shouk Ramle! Indeed Jill
and Zvi are in Mahane Yehuda right now buying last minute fruit and veg for
tonights Shabbat Dinner Party and Jill wants to buy her special treat –
oriental flavourings for rice dishes! Indeed it was a busy week and I decided
that I wouldn't write about politics and diplomacy (or lack of both) but rather
about our amazing day yesterday.

Yesterday
Zvi's Parliament went on another incredible tour, arranged by Eitan Carmon and
Avraham Kalman, to the North of Israel, to the Valley of the Springs. Shahar
Hermelin is the sole member of the incoming visitor department of JNF/USA, and
he is brilliant at his job. Indeed JNF/USA is a wonderful organisation, just 5
or 6 people running the offices in Israel instead of the top-heavy,
administration loaded organisations we are used to. For those of you who think
that the JNF is just about trees, think again. Ecological projects, housing
loans, water and irrigation projects indeed anything that enhances Israeli
life. After the horrific fires in the North they provided the Israeli fire
service with 8 new fire engines and much needed equipment.

We
travelled north on Israel's excellent roads toward the Valley of the Springs a
major project of JNF/USA. http://www.maianot.co.il/en/tourism/
. We climbed up and up to the top of the world with the most spectacular view over
the springs in the valley below. Fish ponds and clean water ponds have been
created to serve the area and new villages pop up beside the old ones,
encouraging young families and clean industry to the area. As we descended to
the ponds or springs we saw exquisite park areas with wonderful walks and hikes
for all ages.

We went
to Gan haShlosha, Nir David and Kfar Ruppin http://www.birdwatching.org.il/welcom2111.asp
where we had a fascinating talk on the
birds which flock to Israel on their path to and from Africa/Europe. Israel is
the only country in the world which actually grows fish to feed the pelicans
which spend four to five months a year here alongside hundreds of thousands of
cranes, white pelicans,

For
lunch we went to a Kurdish village, founded and maintained by a wonderful group
of people who not only built a museum to their ancestors but cook up a storm,
and a kosher storm!!!! We started with a short explanation by Yuval and then
the food arrived, and arrived, and arrived!!! Wonderful salads, kubeh soup,
special rice dishes, chicken, tiny delicious meatballs and all served by the
family. Gosh I highly recommend a visit http://www.i-travelisrael.com/BusinessPage.aspx?BusinessID=8207&CategoriesID=5

The
special ending was when I found a photograph of my son in laws 116 year old
great-great-uncle on the wall!

Our last
stop was Kibbutz Gesher and Naharayim. Gesher literally means bridge and the
kibbutz is right on the river Jordan with a fascinating history spanning Roman,
Ottoman and British history in building the viaduct for the railway to Damascus.
Gesher was also the site for the first Jordanian Israeli collaboration on the
huge power station built by Mr Rutenberg. Yet another amazing place to visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesher,_Israel

Zvi and
I just came back from the Memorial Service for our beautiful friend Shmuel,
Sammy Benalal who was cruelly killed in a Mali terror attack a year ago. One is
used to hearing superlatives and complimentary speeches when someone has
passed, all their sins forgiven, but Shmulik was a simply exceptional man.
Tall, handsome and impressive his qualities went so much deeper than his
pleasant exterior. In Hebrew one says he was "naim halichot" pleasant
in his ways, but it means so much more than that. Shmulik was a brilliant man,
ready to help everyone but not his way, in a way that they could accept, in a
way that did not leave one beholden, he gave one the confidence to make ones
own decision based on his advice. An incredible father and husband, an amazing
friend and beautiful person taken by vile terrorism when he was in Mali,
helping the government set up a rational, non-Sharia, education system. Miss
you dear Sammy but know the family is surrounded by love.

Tonight
we have our Tel Aviv friends coming for dinner. I am excited because not all of
them have heard my Zvi's Kiddush. The table is set, the candles ready to light,
the wine and Challot in place and the
food all cooked and prepared

Friday, 2 December 2016

Thanksgiving
has been and gone, with many Americans enjoying the festival but not allowing
themselves to give thanks for the democratic process. However, Turkeys were
devoured and families got together, which is a good part of the celebrations.

Kaf
Tet b'November
has also been and gone with 98% of us not even noticing or remembering. Quite
incredible that we don't remember and do not give thanks, because the 29th
of November 1947 was the most important day in Jewish life for many, many
centuries. It was the day that the State of Israel was officially brought into
being at the United Nations. So often misinterpreted, so often ignored, we were
ratified! To understand the many misconceptions and the truth please read this
fascinating article by Eli Hertz. While disagreeing on some issues this is a
clear explanation of a complex issue. http://www.think-israel.org/hertz.unresolutions181and242.html

Misinterpretations
and lack of compassion have become a sad part of some Rabbis – a very few I am
happy to say – who make proclamations without thought of situations. After
losing their homes to fire one Rabbi in the North announced that since their
Ketubot (Jewish marriage licences) had burned along with their homes, married
couples could not live as husband and wife. It earned well-deserved outrage,
both Chief Rabbinates denounced the edict since every Ketuba has at least two
more copies, and was the epitome of the "sticking to the rules and
throwing compassionate interpretation to the winds" of recent years.
Reading my thoughts as always my dear friend Rabbi Jeremy Rosen wrote
about this very subject this week. It was more personal, talking about a
wonderful Glasgow family, but expresses my feelings on the subject. http://jeremyrosen.blogspot.co.il/

An
aeroplane crashed
with an entire football team on board and it made headlines; what barely
touched the news - thousands more innocents died in Syria; hundreds more
innocents died in Iraq; wars continue unabated - Central African Republic (armed
clashes between Muslims and Christians), Democratic Republic of Congo (war
against rebel groups), Egypt (war against Islamic militants of Islamic State
branch), Libya (civil war), Mali (clashes between army and rebel groups),
Mozambique (clashes with RENAMO rebels) Nigeria (war against Islamic
militants), Somalia (war against al-Shabaab Islamic militants), Sudan (war
against Islamic rebels in Darfur), South Sudan (clashes with Islamic rebels),
Nigeria (war against Boko Haram) and so the list goes on and on, yet what
distresses the media and the current Administration? a few houses on disputed
land. Our world has gone mad! We cannot fight every war or settle every dispute
but we can at least be given the truth. When will journalism return to being
just that – a journal, a diary, reporting the truth without opinions, without
determinedly twisting our knowledge to their point of view?

Combining
the UN vote
of 1947, the media and warfare, let's watch this excellent video explaining why
despite the fact that Israel is given special status by the WHO and the UN for
her medical education to third world countries and the fact that Palestinians
have the best healthcare in the entire Middle East, in Israeli hospitals
(190,000 of them) we are condemned more than any other country by the
supposedly august institution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH0MoSHPr6g&feature=youtu.be

A large delegation of African Diplomats
created a diplomatic tidal wave yesterday. Why? Because they flouted diplomatic
protocol and visited the Old City of Jerusalem. Why on earth would anyone be
offended? The Palestinians were of course! The visit of the African Diplomats reflected
the increasingly warm relationship between Israel and her African friends. When
the West betrays us we obviously turn to friendlier nations. http://www.timesofisrael.com/african-diplomats-go-on-rare-enlightening-tour-of-old-citys-jewish-sites/

Following
the diabolical UNESCO
vote denying Jewish and Christian connection to Holy sites in Jerusalem, Mayors
from countries on five continents, including the United States, Ukraine, Kenya,
Tanzania, South Africa, Portugal, and Panama came to see the situation for
themselves. The delegation, headed by American Jewish Congress President Jack
Rosen, told theJerusalem Postthat its goal is to show potential
decision makers a side of Israel not shown by media outlets – "To see
facts on the ground, so that they be a voice of reason concerning issues surrounding
Israel"http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/130379-161117-international-delegation-of-mayors-slams-unesco-resolution-on-jerusalem

The BBC made a series of programmes called Jihad
in the UK (a title too similar to Steve Emersons prophetic book Jihad in
America just before 9/11) Here you have the full series. Essential viewing. Britain
and, for once, the BBC have faced the dragon, unlike many other countries. GENERATION JIHAD -
BBC SERIES - MUST WATCH

And so
it rained!!! Yes the rain finally came, too late for the horrific fires set
all over the country but welcome nonetheless. When I say rain I mean RAIN! High
winds, sheet lightening with no sound, no thunder, and blessed, beautiful
water. The blue skies have given way to heavy clouds but that is fine, tomorrow
will be glorious again except that Israel will be sparkling clean, all the dust
of summer washed away.

When I
see Jerusalem, I see the wonder of a city that is diverse, troubled, exquisitely
beautiful and so important she became the heart of conflict – many so jealous
of her beauty and spirituality they chose her as their enemy and their goal.
Why? The answer is simple, they know how deeply important and central she is to
Jews and Christians so made her the way to control and conquer.

That is my view, Jill
sees it differently. For Jill, Jerusalem gives her life, warms her soul and renews
her faith. Each time she returns she feels the tingle of excitement as we wend
our way ever upwards toward the Golden City. The tall buildings, the modern
City – all gleam white in the wintery sun, giving a special magic even before
going to the Old City, where our faiths were born. Whenever a guest comes to
Jerusalem I think of Zvi's amazing late Mother. She always said "I am
jealous of those who come to Jerusalem for the first time. No matter how many
times you come back the magic of first seeing the city for which we yearned for
2,000 is the most magical"

This week's
parasha, Torah reading, speaks of the exquisitely beautiful Rebecca's
difficult pregnancy. She waited 20 years to become pregnant and was carrying
twins. It was so hard that G-d told her "You have two nations fighting
within you". So Jacob and Esau were born, Jacob the second twin clutching Esau's
heel. Esau was rough and ready, Jacob gentle and thoughtful. Their Mother caused untold pain and division
when she and Jacob stole Esau's birthright from their father Isaac – causing Esau
to leave the fold, marry out of his faith and ultimately marry the daughter of
Ishmael. As always the moral is absolute – as we speak our birthright is being
taken from us by a wolf in sheep's clothing. The script is different but the
plot remains the same.

Jill and I are about to
go and collect the children from school. It is always early on a Friday, before
Shabbat, which barely gives Rachel time to prepare our Challot! The panorama
from Samuel's Tomb will be doubly spectacular today, the rain still glistening
on the undulating hills that make up the city.

Supper is ready. We
have both pea and pumpkin soups; salmon in plum, sweet chilli, garlic and
ginger marinade; Nile Perch in Chraimeh, a multitude of salads and Hassenback
potatoes; plain rice for the children; and Oh my goodness, I forgot the
homemade ice-cream I promised little Ella!!!!

Zvi has gone already, his
Parliament is in the Coffee Shop of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on Givat
Ram, where he also goes to the luxurious gym and health spa.

Friday, 25 November 2016

Shabbat
shalom dear friends. Sadly I cannot write the letter I intended writing, one of
Thanksgiving, because Israel is ablaze. Hundreds of fires were set, using
simple but clever devices, all over the country, using the tinder dry trees,
undergrowth and high winds to fan the carefully planned flames. Over 60,000
people have been evacuated in Haifa including a hospital and an old peoples
home. The fires were set with simple but
ingenious devices.

Help
has come in the form of firefighting aeroplanes from Italy, Greece, Cyprus,
Turkey, Croatia, Romania and Russia but the help we really need is to stop the
arson – todays form of terrorism. I couldn't help thinking of the difference in
outlook. Israel ensures that her tree population grows each year and the
Palestinian's ensure that they burn down and destroy that beauty. If only they used
their ingenuity for good instead of evil they could thrive.

Their
debate took place at the Jerusalem Press Club, in the beautiful Yemin
Moshe neighbourhood, and the very first thing they did was hug, say they are
great personal friends and that their approach is similar despite being in different
parties. Both are strong Zionists, both are pragmatists, both are wonderfully
polite…….. not a given in Israeli politics! They agreed that we must find a
path to peace, but that security is out prime goal, indeed our search for
security should be the impetus to find peace, or at least agreement. After much
discussion and agreement they were asked whether they had a future plan; they
both feel that it is an Israel/Palestinian problem, no interference wanted, but
that Egypt is the common denominator to finding our way. Only with economic
security can we find our way to bringing hope to the next generation of Palestinians
toward a 2 State solution. When opened to questions mine was short; "Is
there a way to reintroduce Salaam Fayad into the picture?" Salaam
Fayad was very short-lived as Palestinian Prime Minister because he didn't want
to waste the vast aid monies, he wanted to build infrastructure, both physical
and administrative. Unfortunately the moderator didn't let them respond fully
but both agreed he was one of the important factors. What fascinated me was the
level of agreement and debate, not argument, between the two. I also learned that
the PA Government Building in Ramallah is named for Yahya Ayyash – chief bomb-maker
of Hamas and leader of Izz Adin al Qassam – a terrorist of huge proportions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahya_Ayyash

The sun just came up and the winds are slightly lessening; the
incredible Israeli fire men and women have the fires under control; several
countries came to our help with aeroplanes and equipment; so now, I can concentrate
on Thanksgiving and Judaism – my original theme for this Shabbat Shalom.

I have wonderful American friends and most importantly I have an
American son who has an American family, my amazing Daniel, Karen, Joshua
and Callie; this in itself brought me to understand what Thanksgiving
really is and its relevance to us all. For many it seems to have been degraded
to a matter of pumpkin pie and turkey, but somewhere, deep inside, the idea of
giving thanks for what we have is still of great importance.

Just in case you hadn't already worked it out, I am a lateral
thinker. One subject always links to another in a constant chain of thought and
Thanksgiving is no different.

The Pilgrims suffered terrible oppression which caused them to
go in search of a homeland, a place where they could live in peace and flourish.
They cleared the land and planted crops and began farming animals. Thanksgiving
was a day for giving thanks to G-d for bringing them to their first harvest, although
since then it has become a day for barbeques and sales. Thanksgiving is still a
tradition, an important tradition of giving thanks and celebrating as a family.

So what does that have to do with Judaism? Tradition!

I see young Israelis, although it is much wider than Israelis,
who see no purpose in traditions, in Shabbat, in standing before Shabbat
candles, ones children's faces shining in the light. They see no reason to
bless the wine (thanksgiving for the vines which gave us the fruit) or the
Challah bread (thanksgiving for the rich land which gave us the crops) and
certainly not to say grace after meals. Indeed Shabbat has for many become a weekly
Black Friday for shopping. In Israel we are lucky because one tradition has
remained – Friday night is family night for secular and religious families
alike. It is sad to lose the traditions, whatever our religion, whatever our
faith – it is what keeps us together as people and teaches us respect for
others. Thanksgiving is just that, giving thanks for freedom, for civil rights,
for the ability to pray and believe as you choose accepting the rights of
others to so do too.

This has been a full week beginning with Jill's arrival on Sunday.
I love our airport. It is not Tel Aviv airport by the way, it is Ben Gurion
Airport, once known as Lod Airport, and its site was chosen as the first flat-lands
between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Since it
is a Jewish airport it is also a very greeting friendly airport – the meeting
place is a large round area so that more people can wave and smile and cry and
race toward the grinning arrivees! It is the site of both Rachels and my Aliya.
Jill is never as happy as when she walks through the automatic doors and finds
herself in Israel, her gait lightens and her face relaxes.

On Monday Irit and Yitzik Lev, Ron and Rena Katz came for
lunch. They intended going out but I had all the usual salads and soups and
general food ready, just waiting for guests in the fridge – and to Rena's
amazement it was sugar free and tasty!!!!
Then on Tuesday Jill and I met with Dana and Betty, great
friends, in Bet Hakerem, to catch up on all our family news. Wednesday we
travelled up north for fun with my beautiful Rachel who calls Jill her second
Mum! We already noticed the vast number of fire engines, police and ambulances
racing up the main highway, which was when we understood that the fires were
even worse than we thought. Thursday was the Jerusalem Press Club debate and
that brings us to today!

This Shabbat we are going to stay with Rachel's family. Zvi,
Jill and I will enjoy a beautiful Haredi Shabbat with Rachel, Igal, Yosef,
Talia and Ayala. I am very excited although Rachel is even more so, it is
quite difficult to organise but we made it! I think she has prepared just about
every traditional dish in the book! Two types of fish- hot white fish in tomato
marinade and beautiful fresh salmon for Friday night and chicken cholent
(Hamin) for Shabbat. The additions will be matboucha, aubergine, tomato,
cucumber, tabouleh, bean, potato, egg salads and incredible roasted vegetables,
she is an amazing cook.

So that's about it. Just the music now. As I was researching my
choice one song jumped out. Yismachu ha Shemayim – May the skies rejoice. May
the skies rejoice and the tears of joy fall – in the form of life giving rain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRbdB3jNDzQ

We are a miracle. Yes we are. The great Empires of our enemies
have all fallen, the Greek, Egyptian, Roman, Ottoman and Reich but here we are.
This is not the first time they have tried to burn us but here we stand. Yaacov
Shwekey "We Are the Miracle" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmyKFLQDHns

Shabbat Shalom dear friends. Remember to give thanks for who we
are and what we are.